Big blow! Rapid weight loss delays Shreyas Iyer’s return to competitive cricket | Cricket News

In a major setback for India, ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer’s return to competitive cricket has been delayed after the batter did not receive the required clearance from the BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE). As per the original plan, Iyer was scheduled to leave the facility on December 30, but will now spend at least one more week to get Return to Play (RTP). Although he continues to hit without any discomfort, the rapid weight loss due to the abdominal injury has pushed his strength below optimal levels and much attention will be paid to it in the coming week.Iyer lost around 6 kg due to the injury and although he regained some of it, the drop in his muscle mass pushed his strength below optimal levels.“There is no problem with his batting, but he lost around six kg after his injury in Australia. Although he has gained weight, there has been a decline in his muscle mass, which has further affected his optimal strength level. The medical team will not take any chances as he is a very important player in the ODI structure and his full recovery is of utmost importance at the moment. The selectors and management will be informed about his current situation before meeting to choose the team for New Zealand ODIs,” a BCCI official said. TimesofIndia.com.Go beyond borders with our YouTube channel. REGISTER NOW!As TimesofIndia.com had earlier reported, the right-hander was scheduled to feature in the matches on January 3 and 6 before the start of the three-match ODI series in Vadodara on January 11, but there will be a late change as the right-hander is now expected to get the necessary clearances only by January 9 – two days before the start of the New Zealand series and three days before the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts. “There were a lot of positive developments as he batted in Mumbai, made it to the CoE and pushed himself to feature in New Zealand ODIs. There were indications that he would also play the Vijay Hazare Trophy matches on January 3 and 6, but we have now been told that he needs more time and will only be available from the round of 16 of the tournament onwards,” an MCA official tracking the developments told TimesofIndia.com.

Iyer had already returned to training and regular gym work, and even scored a hit in the nets a day before heading to the CoE on December 25. He spent six days going through numerous fielding, batting and fitness drills at the facility, and will continue to be there for more fitness work.The round of 16 of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled for January 12 – a day after India play the first ODI against New Zealand – and Iyer is now unlikely to qualify for the final bilateral ODI before focusing on the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka during the months of February and March.